Archive | January 2026

The Lost Boys Of Barlowe Theater by Jaime Jo Wright

Let Go & Let God

The Lost Boys Of Barlowe Theater by Jaime Jo Wright is a powerful Christian historical dual timeline novel that I loved.

Once more Jaime Jo Wright has penned a dark and brooding novel that grabs the reader’s attention from the start. Scenes set at night and in an old dark theatre help to set the atmosphere. Amongst all the cloak and daggers, the reader tries to guess what is real and what is an illusion?

The action takes pace in 1915 and present day, with Barlowe theatre as its’ focus. There are rumours of lost boys and a woman in white walking abroad. What is real? Are there ghosts of the past that need to be put to rest?

In both time periods there are leading female characters who are struggling to find their place in society. Both feel abandoned by parents – one through death, and the other due to being adopted. They both struggle with feelings of self-worth. In 1915, one’s worth was attached to one’s position in society. “What would ruin someone of Eleanor’s status would merely go unnoticed by those in her world.” There are different rules for the different classes.

In present day the leading lady finds it difficult to trust that she is lovable as she was abandoned at birth by her birth mother. “Deep down… Kit felt disposable. Even her faith was challenged by the idea that God too must certainly have His limits of grace.” God is our loving Father. His love for us is unconditional and everlasting. The leading lady struggles to believe that God’s love is given freely to her and that she doesn’t have to earn it. “Human nature is conditional… But God is not.” Slowly her faith emerges. “A thin thread of belief that her value wasn’t based on conditions.”

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Far From Home by Danielle Steel

Love Wins

Far From Home by Danielle Steel is a historical novel that consumed me from the start.

The novel is set in France & Germany towards the end of World War II. Hitler is losing the war but is blind to this fact. Some Germans are against him but are afraid to speak out – a few brave souls execute Operation Valkyrie. As history shows, this did not go to plan, and it is against this backdrop that the story is set.

We follow the war as seen through the eyes of a mother and a daughter following their husband/father’s attempt to kill Hitler. Their wars are very different – one is in France, the other is in Berlin.

Danielle Steel capture’s the reader’s attention as her plotline mirrors actual facts from World War II. Her characters are well drawn and easy to empathise with.

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A Wayne In A Manger by Gervase Phinn

Very Charming & Very Funny

A Wayne In A Manger by Gervase Phinn is a very charming and amusing account of school nativities as seen through the eyes of small children when Gervase Phinn was school’s inspector for Yorkshire.

Nativities are always a very charming part of school life. Much hilarity is found when small children improvise. “Mary sighed and thrust the large doll representing the Baby Jesus, with a fair bit of force, on to the lap of Joseph with the words, ‘You ‘old Him a bit. ‘E’s gerrin dead ‘eavy.’”

There are wise words coming from young mouths. “Allus speak tha mind. Say what tha’s got to say an’ then shurrup.”

And we hear of the Good News of Christmas. “There’s summat special abaat it [Christmas], isn’t there?… People smile more, they look ‘appier.”

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Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Stars by Gervase Phinn

Hilarious

Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars by Gervase Phinn is the most enchanting little book about the hilarious tales the author has come across in his years as school inspector for Yorkshire.

Told in a very down to earth, personable style, the reader sniggers and titters throughout. The children are straight faced as they inject humour into what they say. “Can you tell me how many sheep you can see in that field?” “Aye, I can… I can see all on ‘em.”

As well as being literal, the children sometimes mispronounce words. One young one refers to ‘Old Timers Disease’ instead of Alzheimer’s’. It certainly has a friendlier tone to that.

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